Jan Koum Biography
Jan Koum is a Ukrainian American computer programmer and entrepreneur who is the co-founder and the CEO of WhatsApp, a mobile messaging application which was developed by Facebook Inc. in February 2014. He was also born on 24th February 1976 in Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR.
Koum’s role in co-founding WhatsApp has had a transformative impact on the way people communicate globally. WhatsApp revolutionized the way people send messages, making it accessible, convenient, and affordable for people all around the world to connect with each other. Through its user-friendly interface, end-to-end encryption, and cross-platform compatibility, WhatsApp has become a vital tool for personal and business communication, breaking down barriers of distance and language.
Koum’s impact on society also extends to issues of privacy and security. WhatsApp’s commitment to end-to-end encryption, which ensures that messages can only be accessed by the intended recipients, has elevated the importance of privacy in the digital age. In an era of increasing concerns about data privacy and security breaches, Jan Koum’s emphasis on protecting user information has set a precedent for technology companies to prioritize user privacy and security in their products.
10 Quick Facts About Jan Koum
- Name: Jan Koum
- Age: 47 Years (2023)
- Birthday: 24 February
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Height: 5 feet 11 inches (1.80m)
- Nationality: Ukrainian-American
- Occupation: Computer Programmer and Entrepreneur
- Marital Status: Dating
- Salary: To be Updated
- Net worth: 13.9 billion USD
Jan Koum Age
Koum is 47 years old as of 2023, he was born on 24 February 1976, in Kyiv, Ukraine. He celebrates his birthday on 24 February every year and his birth sign is Pisces.
Jan Koum Height
Koum stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80m) tall.
Jan Koum Weight
Koum weighs 78 kg (172 lbs).
Jan Koum Early Life and Education
Koum was born on 24 February 1976, in Kyiv and grew up in Fastiv. In 1992, at the age of 16, he moved with his mother and grandmother to Mountain View, California. A social support program supported the family to get a small two-bedroom apartment there. His father had intended to join the family afterward, but he never left Ukraine and died in 1997.
Koum and his mother remained in touch with his father until his death. At first, his mother worked as a babysitter while he worked as a cleaner at a grocery store but later his mother died in 2000 after a long battle with cancer.
Also, by the age of 18, Koum had become inquisitive in computer programming. He enrolled at San Jose State University and simultaneously performed at Ernst & Young as a security tester. Also, he joined w00w00, a computer security think tank started in 1996, where he met future Napster creators Shawn Fanning and Jordan Ritter.
Jan Koum Rise to Fame
Koum’s rise to fame can be traced back to his early life and career journey. Born in Ukraine in 1976, Koum experienced financial struggles and political oppression before immigrating to the United States with his mother when he was 16 years old. Despite facing numerous challenges, Koum’s passion for technology and determination to succeed propelled him to great heights.
Koum’s interest in computers and programming started at a young age. He taught himself computer programming and became proficient in various programming languages. After immigrating to the U.S., Koum pursued his studies in computer science at San Jose State University while working as a cleaner to support himself and his family. During this time, he also worked as a security tester at Ernst & Young, gaining valuable experience in the technology industry.
Jan Koum Parents
Koum was born in Kyiv, Ukraine. His father had intended to join the family later, but he never left Ukraine and died in 1997. Koum and his mother remained in touch with his father until his death. At first, his mother worked as a babysitter while he worked as a cleaner at a grocery store. His mother died in 2000 after a long battle with cancer.
However, more information about his parents is publicly not available. We will update this section once the information is available.
Jan Koum Siblings
Koum is the only child born to his parents, and he does not have any siblings.
Jan Koum Partner
Koum is currently dating his loving and longtime partner Evelina Mambetova a Ukrainian-based Professional Model and Founder of the M20 fashion brand. However, their marriage is not confirmed yet but they are dating each other for the past few years since 2014.
Jan Koum Children
As of now, Koum does not have children. We will update this section once he gets the children.
Jan Koum Net Worth
Koum has an estimated net worth of 13.9 billion USD as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as a Computer Programmer and Entrepreneur. Through his various sources of income, Koum has been able to accumulate good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Jan Koum Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Jan Koum;
Jan Koum Wiki
- Full Names: Jan Koum
- Popular As: Businessman
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Computer Programmer and Entrepreneur
- Nationality: Ukrainian-American
- Race / Ethnicity: Mixed
- Religion: To be Updated
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Jan Koum Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 47 Years (2023)
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- Date of Birth: 24 February 1976
- Place of Birth: Kyiv, Ukraine
- Birthday: 24 February
Jan Koum Body Measurements
- Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 11 inches (1.80m)
- Weight: 78 kg (172 lbs)
- Eye Color: To be Updated
- Hair Color: To be Updated
- Shoe Size: To be Updated
- Chest Size: To be Updated
- Waist Size: To be Updated
Jan Koum Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): To be Updated
- Mother: To be Updated
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): None
- Marital Status: Dating
- Dating/Girlfriend: Evelina Mambetova
- Children: None
Jan Koum Net Worth and Salary
- Net Worth: 13.9 billion USD
- Salary: o be Updated
- Source of Income: Computer Programmer and Entrepreneur
Jan Koum Career
Koum is a computer programmer and entrepreneur known for co-founding the popular messaging application WhatsApp. Born on February 24, 1976, in Ukraine, Koum moved to the United States with his family in the 1990s. He studied computer science at San Jose State University but dropped out to work as a security tester for Ernst & Young.
Koum’s career took off when he co-founded WhatsApp with Brian Acton in 2009. WhatsApp is a free messaging application that allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, and share media such as photos and videos. The app quickly gained popularity for its simplicity, ease of use, and focus on user privacy. Koum and Acton developed WhatsApp with a strong commitment to protecting user data with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that messages and calls are secure and private.
WhatsApp grew rapidly and became one of the most widely used messaging apps worldwide, with billions of users. In 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion, making it one of the largest technology acquisitions at that time. After the acquisition, Koum became a prominent figure in the technology industry and continued to work on improving WhatsApp and expanding its reach.
Jan Koum Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences
In 2009, Koum co-founded WhatsApp along with Brian Acton. The app quickly gained traction and became one of the most widely used messaging applications worldwide. The success of WhatsApp transformed Koum’s career and made him a prominent figure in the technology industry.
In 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for a staggering $19 billion, which was one of the largest technology acquisitions at the time. This event marked a significant milestone in Koum’s career, and he continued to work on WhatsApp as part of Facebook after the acquisition.
Jan Koum Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable, and Community Involvement
Koum has made substantial donations to charitable organizations and causes. In 2014, after the acquisition of WhatsApp by Facebook, he donated $556 million worth of Facebook shares to a donor-advised fund at the Silicon Valley Community Foundation. Koum has also supported organizations that focus on education, healthcare, and social welfare.
Being originally from Ukraine, Koum has shown a strong commitment to supporting his home country. He has made donations to charitable organizations that work towards improving the lives of people in Ukraine, including initiatives related to education, healthcare, and economic development.
Koum’s entrepreneurial endeavors, particularly co-founding WhatsApp, have had a significant social impact by providing a platform that connects people across borders and empowers them to communicate and share information. WhatsApp has been widely used for various purposes, including supporting small businesses, facilitating charitable initiatives, and enabling communication during humanitarian crises.
Jan Koum WhatsApp
Koum is a Ukrainian-American entrepreneur who co-founded WhatsApp, a popular messaging app, along with Brian Acton in 2009. WhatsApp was designed as a cross-platform instant messaging application that allows users to send text messages, make voice and video calls, share media files, and more, using an internet connection.
Jan Koum’s vision for WhatsApp was to create a simple and secure messaging platform that could connect people across the world without the need for expensive international calling or messaging services. WhatsApp quickly gained popularity due to its user-friendly interface, reliable messaging capabilities, and focus on privacy and security.
In 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion, one of the largest technology acquisitions in history. After the acquisition, Jan Koum joined Facebook as part of the deal, and WhatsApp continued to operate as a separate entity within the Facebook family of companies. However, Jan Koum left Facebook in 2018 due to disagreements over data privacy and encryption.
Jan Koum Ukraine
Koum’s journey from his humble beginnings in Ukraine to co-founding one of the most popular messaging apps in the world is a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit and drive to make a positive impact on global communication. He has been recognized for his contributions to the tech industry and his philanthropic efforts, including supporting charitable causes in Ukraine.
Jan Koum Awards Accomplishments and Achievements
- Koum was named in Forbes’ prestigious 30 Under 30 list in the category of Technology. This recognition acknowledged his contributions to the technology industry, particularly for co-founding WhatsApp and its global impact.
- Koum was awarded the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year in the Northern California region in 2017. This accolade recognized his entrepreneurial achievements, innovation, and leadership in the technology industry.
- WhatsApp, co-founded by Jan Koum, has been recognized multiple times by Fast Company’s annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. WhatsApp’s innovative approach to messaging, focus on user privacy, and global impact have been acknowledged in these prestigious rankings.
- Under Jan Koum’s leadership, WhatsApp grew to become one of the most widely used messaging applications worldwide, with billions of users. WhatsApp’s success and massive user base have been significant accomplishments, showcasing Koum’s entrepreneurial vision and strategic leadership.
Jan Koum Legacy
Here are some key aspects of Jan Koum’s legacy:
Koum co-founded WhatsApp, a revolutionary messaging application that has transformed the way people communicate globally. WhatsApp’s focus on simplicity, privacy, and accessibility has made it one of the most widely used messaging platforms with billions of users worldwide. The success of WhatsApp has established Koum as a pioneer in the field of communication technology.
He has been a vocal advocate for user privacy and online security. WhatsApp’s implementation of end-to-end encryption, which ensures that messages and calls are secure and private, has set a benchmark for privacy standards in the technology industry. Koum’s commitment to protecting user data has had a lasting impact on the conversation around privacy in the digital era.
Jan Koum Quotes
Frequently Asked Questions About Jan Koum
Jan Koum is a Ukrainian American computer programmer and entrepreneur who is the co-founder and the CEO of WhatsApp, a mobile messaging application which was developed by Facebook Inc. in February 2014. He was also born on 24th February 1976 in Kyiv, Ukrainian SSR.
Koum is a Ukrainian-American national born on 24 February 1976, in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Koum stands at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80m) tall.
Koum is currently dating his loving and longtime partner Evelina Mambetova a Ukrainian-based Professional Model and Founder of the M20 fashion brand.
Koum has an approximate net worth of 13.9 billion USD. This amount has been accrued from her leading roles as a Computer Programmer and Entrepreneur
Details about Koum’s salary are not yet disclosed. However, information about how much he makes will be updated as soon as it is available.
Koum is a resident of Malibu, USA, we shall upload pictures of his house as soon as we have them.
Koum is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Koum is currently known as the co-founder of WhatsApp.
Jan Koum Contacts
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